It’s that time of the summer when the cucumber plants explode! We love the fresh taste of cucumbers, but eating them sliced with some dressing or tossing them in a green salad isn’t a very interesting way to eat them. Something that has been cultivated for 3000 years deserves more of a starring (or co-starring) role in a dish and a more interesting preparation! So I did some research.

The cucumber is the 4th most widely cultivated vegetable, although it is technically a fruit. At more that 90% water, the cucumber traditionally wasn’t thought to be very nutritionally important. New research into the phytonutrients in cucumbers are changing that thinking. That should stimulate the foodie world to create some innovative recipes using the cucumber!

There are plenty of cucumber salad recipes out there which involves drenching cucumbers in sour cream and adding a bit of herb. That’s okay, but I was looking for something a bit different. There are dozens of types of cucumber soups, too. That will be a blog for another day, after I try some of them out in a taste test! I found 2 cucumber bread recipes that I may have to try it out even though I am skeptical. The cucumber bun recipe is on the agenda for sure!

After sifting through 1500+ recipes and filing about 25 for potential future use, I decided to go with a more basic salad recipe to start. Tomatoes are also starting to come into season and there are always about a dozen different kinds of cheese in our fridge, so a combination of cucumbers, tomatoes and a touch of cheese is what I’m offering up to highlight the plentiful cucumbers. It’s quick and easy for those nights when it’s too hot to cook much!

Cucumber & Tomato Salad with Feta Cheese (from www.foodnetwork.com)
Total Time:  5 min    Yield: 2 servings

Ingredients:
2 tomatoes, cored and sliced
1 1/2 cucumbers, peeled, seeded and sliced
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled

Directions:

In a medium bowl combine the chopped tomatoes and cucumber. Season with salt and pepper. Add the vinegar and olive oil. Toss to coat. Sprinkle on the feta and serve.

Garden freshness on the plate!

It’s basic, but very satisfying!  ~Linda

Cucumber & Tomato Salad with Feta Cheese (from www.foodnetwork.com)
Total Time:  5 min    Yield: 2 servings

Ingredients:
2 tomatoes, cored and sliced
1 1/2 cucumbers, peeled, seeded and sliced
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled

Directions:

In a medium bowl combine the chopped tomatoes and cucumber. Season with salt and pepper. Add the vinegar and olive oil. Toss to coat. Sprinkle on the feta and serve.